A Park High Performer! With the Astra series comes a whole new era in Balloon Flowers, with so many improvements you won't believe you're growing the same species! Higher germination rates, better branching, more blooms, richer color, and better staying power are just the highlights of Astra's merits! It even has double flowers -- nearly twice the petal power of single-flowered varieties! Grow this beautiful perennial for yourself this season and discover just how easy and attractive Balloon Flowers can be!

The good news begins the moment you plant the seeds. Unlike earlier varieties, Astra boasts a whopping 90% germination rate, so you get more plants from every packet of seeds. And such lovely plants they are -- compact yet well-branched, reaching 6 to 12 inches high, 6 to 8 inches wide, and just begging to be placed in your best flowerpots, windowboxes, and hanging baskets! Tolerant of full sun or light shade, they grow quickly and are wonderfully consistent across the series for bloomtime and height.

And then the flowers arrive! A full 3 inches across and double, they sport thicker petals than older Balloon Flower varieties, which help them stay fresh and attractive even longer. And because the plant is so densely-branched, you can expect a bumper crop of fluffy blue blooms every summer from Astra Double Blue! The flowers begin with the first warm weather and don't quit till fall, blooming continuously (rather than in waves) for months!

If you like the looks of Astra Double Blue, consider a colorful planting of the whole series -- Double White, Double Lavender, plus single blue, pink, and white. Or just plant the double-flowered mix of all 3 colors! Zones 4-9. Pkt is 20 seeds.

Platycodon is the botanical name for Balloon FlowerPlatycodon Germination Information

How to Sow Platycodon:

Best sown indoors at 65-75° with germination occurring in 10-15 days

Seeds can be sown indoors in January for flowering in June and July of the same year

Seeds can be sown outdoors in spring or summer, up to two months before first frost

Always, sow with NO cover as light aids in germination

When sowing seed outdoors, we recommend a maximum planting depth of 4X the width of the seed

How to Grow Platycodon: Transplanting: Transplant when there are at least two sets of true leaves

Spacing: Plant out at 12-18 inches apart in full sun or light shade in a rich, moist, well-drained soil. Keep well watered

Temperature: Grow on at 60-65° days/55-60° nights

Additional Care: Pinch young plants to increase branching and flower production and deadhead to prolong the flower display. Plants are difficult to divide due to their long tap roots, but division may be accomplished by detaching rooted basal shoots in early summer. They are slow to emerge in the spring, so do not rashly cull the rootstocks before they have yet to begin growing for the season. Fertilize monthly

Appearance and Use:

A perennial for borders, beds, rock gardens, and for fresh cut flower use. Plants are compact and clump-forming from 2 feet tall to 12 inches wide. The showy balloon-like buds swell to burst open as 2-3 inch, bowl-shaped flowers with pointed petals. The buds and flowers are colored pink, blue, or white and appear in mid-summer. Foliage is bluish green, ovate to 2 inches long, and the margins are toothed

Park Seed offers some of the highest-quality vegetable and flower seeds available in the industry, and there are a number of reasons for this.

First of all, we have humidity- and temperature-controlled storage, and we never treat any of our seeds with chemicals or pesticides. Nor do we ever sell GMO's (genetically modified seeds), so you always know the products you're buying from us are natural as well as safe for you and the environment.

Superior Standards - University Inspected

To make sure we are providing the best seed product possible and that our customers will get the highest number of seedlings from every packet, we conduct our own germination testing and have quality-control measures in every stage of our seed-handling operation. We hold ourselves to standards that are at or above federal and state standards, including testing specific crops more frequently than recommended by federal guidelines. And in order to maintain our organic certification, we welcome Clemson University to inspect us annually to make sure our organic seeds, which are stored and processed separately, are being handled properly.

Hand Packed By Experienced Technicians

Park Seed has been handling and packing vegetable and flower seeds for 145 years, a history that has given us a great understanding of how each variety should be cared for and maintained throughout every step of theprocess, from collection to shipping.

When packing our seeds, the majority are actually done by hand (with extreme care!), and we often over-pack them, so you're receiving more than the stated quantity.

The Park Seed Gold Standard

And many of our seeds are packed in our exclusive Fresh-Pak gold foil packets, which are lined to keep moisture out, so the seeds stay fresher for longer. We carefully pack very tiny or fragile seeds in crush-proof vials to ensure safe delivery to your home. Some of the small seeds are also offered as "pellets" (have a clay coating) to make sowing and growing easier.
When it comes to the kinds of seeds we offer, we are constantly seeking something new and provide many unique and hard-to-find varieties from all around the world. Our on-staff horticulturists are ready and available to share their expertise to help you with the success of these seeds, so you can grow a beautiful and productive garden!

Does Park sell GMO's or treated seeds?

It is important for our customers to know that Park Seed does not sell GMO or treated seed. We do buy a small amount of traditional hybrid seed from Seminis, a division of Monsanto Co., but that is all we purchase from them.

What are the differences between organic, heirloom, and hybrid seed?

Basically, organic seeds are seeds that are produced without the use and exposure to artificial/chemical fertilizers, insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, and other chemicals. They have to be grown, harvested, stored, and handled under very strict organic rules and procedures. All of our organic seeds are USDA 100% certified organic through Clemson University and the certificate has to be renewed yearly.

Heirloom Seeds are open-pollinated -- they are not hybrids. You can gather and save heirloom seed from year to year and they will grow true to type every year, so they can be passed down through generations. To be considered an heirloom, a variety would have to be at least from the 1940's and 3 generations old (many varieties are much older -- some 100 years or more!).

Hybrid seed are the product of cross-pollination between 2 different parent plants, resulting in a new plant/seed that is different from the parents. Unlike Heirloom seed, hybrid seed need to be re-purchased new every year (and not saved). They usually will not grow true to type if you save them, but will revert to one of the parents they were crossed with and most likely look/taste different in some way.

What are pelleted seeds? Why do you use them? How do I handle/sow them?

Extremely small seed such as Petunias and Pentas are shipped as pelleted seed to make them easier to handle and sow. Pelleted seed are coated, usually with clay, to make them larger in size. After sowing, the coating will dissolve when wet and the seed will germinate. Pelleted seeds are shipped in vials placed inside seed packets, which protects them from being crushed. When sowing, be certain to use thoroughly moistened soil, to be sure that the clay coating absorbs enough moisture to dissolve. For sowing pelleted Petunia seeds, place the seeds directly on the soil surface and do not cover with soil, as light aids in the germination.

What is ideal temperature to germinate most seeds?

The ideal temperature to germinate most seeds is approximately 70 degrees F; give or take 1-2 degrees either way. This would be a good germination temperature for most flower and vegetable seeds and would be the most practical and feasible temperatures achieved for gardeners starting seeds in the home. You will notice for some seeds that it is recommended to use alternating day (warmer), night (cooler), temperatures, which is fine if one can provide such conditions. But most people are unable to provide those temperatures in a home setting, so just use the overall 70 degree F recommendation and the seeds should germinate well.

How long should grow lights be kept on per day and how close to the plants should the light be kept?

For germination and seedling/plant growth, you want to simulate the natural day-night cycles, and as a general rule, grow lights should be on 8-12 hours per day and off at night. You can vary this timing, as some seeds such as tomato, pepper, petunia, impatiens, and others, benefit from 14-17 hours of light per day (and the remainder of the 24 hour period in darkness). The most common grow lights used are fluorescent; using cool white, warm white, and wide-spectrum fluorescent tubes. These lights work well for germination and for growing plants up to a transplantable size. Fluorescent lights should be kept close though, 3-6 inches above the soil or the growing plants, adjusting the height as the plants grow.

How long will seeds keep in storage?

Park Seed stores seed in a special temperature- and humidity-controlled storage facility, which keeps seeds in excellent condition. Our seeds should be good for at least 1-2 years on average. Seed viability and storage time will vary depending on the seed item; some will keep a shorter time and some will keep longer. Seeds should be stored in a cool, dark, dry place. A basement will do (if not too humid), or a cool, dark room or closet. We recommend the best way to extend seed storage life is to store them in something air tight, such as a plastic zipper storage bag or canning jar, and place it in the refrigerator. This will extend the life of seeds for many years.

What is the best way to store seeds over a longer time period?

We recommend the best way to extend seed storage life is to store seeds in something air tight, such as a plastic zipper storage bag or canning jar, and place it in the refrigerator. This will extend the life of seeds for many years.

What depth should I sow various seeds?

When sowing seed outdoors, we recommend a maximum planting depth of 4X the width of the seed. When sowing seed indoors, the planting depth can be less, depending on the seed being sown, so it is always best to check specific directions. Here are some general guidelines concerning planting depth in relation to seed size: Tiny, dust-like seeds need to be sown on the surface of the growing medium or soil, uncovered, as they need light to germinate. The planting depth for small seed can be anywhere from barely covering, to 1/8-inch deep, to possibly 1/4-inch deep, depending on the recommendation. Medium seed should be planted at 1/4- to 1/2-inch deep, depending on the recommendation. Larger seeds can be planted 1-inch or deeper, depending on the recommendation.

A Park High Performer! With the Astra series comes a whole new era in Balloon Flowers, with so many improvements you won't believe you're growing the same species! Higher germination rates, better branching, more blooms, richer color, and better staying power are just the highlights of Astra's merits! It even has double flowers -- nearly twice the petal power of single-flowered varieties! Grow this beautiful perennial for yourself this season and discover just how easy and attractive Balloon Flowers can be!

The good news begins the moment you plant the seeds. Unlike earlier varieties, Astra boasts a whopping 90% germination rate, so you get more plants from every packet of seeds. And such lovely plants they are -- compact yet well-branched, reaching 6 to 12 inches high, 6 to 8 inches wide, and just begging to be placed in your best flowerpots, windowboxes, and hanging baskets! Tolerant of full sun or light shade, they grow quickly and are wonderfully consistent across the series for bloomtime and height.

And then the flowers arrive! A full 3 inches across and double, they sport thicker petals than older Balloon Flower varieties, which help them stay fresh and attractive even longer. And because the plant is so densely-branched, you can expect a bumper crop of fluffy blue blooms every summer from Astra Double Blue! The flowers begin with the first warm weather and don't quit till fall, blooming continuously (rather than in waves) for months!

If you like the looks of Astra Double Blue, consider a colorful planting of the whole series -- Double White, Double Lavender, plus single blue, pink, and white. Or just plant the double-flowered mix of all 3 colors! Zones 4-9. Pkt is 20 seeds.

Platycodon is the botanical name for Balloon FlowerPlatycodon Germination Information

How to Sow Platycodon:

Best sown indoors at 65-75° with germination occurring in 10-15 days

Seeds can be sown indoors in January for flowering in June and July of the same year

Seeds can be sown outdoors in spring or summer, up to two months before first frost

Always, sow with NO cover as light aids in germination

When sowing seed outdoors, we recommend a maximum planting depth of 4X the width of the seed

How to Grow Platycodon: Transplanting: Transplant when there are at least two sets of true leaves

Spacing: Plant out at 12-18 inches apart in full sun or light shade in a rich, moist, well-drained soil. Keep well watered

Temperature: Grow on at 60-65° days/55-60° nights

Additional Care: Pinch young plants to increase branching and flower production and deadhead to prolong the flower display. Plants are difficult to divide due to their long tap roots, but division may be accomplished by detaching rooted basal shoots in early summer. They are slow to emerge in the spring, so do not rashly cull the rootstocks before they have yet to begin growing for the season. Fertilize monthly

Appearance and Use:

A perennial for borders, beds, rock gardens, and for fresh cut flower use. Plants are compact and clump-forming from 2 feet tall to 12 inches wide. The showy balloon-like buds swell to burst open as 2-3 inch, bowl-shaped flowers with pointed petals. The buds and flowers are colored pink, blue, or white and appear in mid-summer. Foliage is bluish green, ovate to 2 inches long, and the margins are toothed

Park Seed offers some of the highest-quality vegetable and flower seeds available in the industry, and there are a number of reasons for this.

First of all, we have humidity- and temperature-controlled storage, and we never treat any of our seeds with chemicals or pesticides. Nor do we ever sell GMO's (genetically modified seeds), so you always know the products you're buying from us are natural as well as safe for you and the environment.

Superior Standards - University Inspected

To make sure we are providing the best seed product possible and that our customers will get the highest number of seedlings from every packet, we conduct our own germination testing and have quality-control measures in every stage of our seed-handling operation. We hold ourselves to standards that are at or above federal and state standards, including testing specific crops more frequently than recommended by federal guidelines. And in order to maintain our organic certification, we welcome Clemson University to inspect us annually to make sure our organic seeds, which are stored and processed separately, are being handled properly.

Hand Packed By Experienced Technicians

Park Seed has been handling and packing vegetable and flower seeds for 145 years, a history that has given us a great understanding of how each variety should be cared for and maintained throughout every step of theprocess, from collection to shipping.

When packing our seeds, the majority are actually done by hand (with extreme care!), and we often over-pack them, so you're receiving more than the stated quantity.

The Park Seed Gold Standard

And many of our seeds are packed in our exclusive Fresh-Pak gold foil packets, which are lined to keep moisture out, so the seeds stay fresher for longer. We carefully pack very tiny or fragile seeds in crush-proof vials to ensure safe delivery to your home. Some of the small seeds are also offered as "pellets" (have a clay coating) to make sowing and growing easier.
When it comes to the kinds of seeds we offer, we are constantly seeking something new and provide many unique and hard-to-find varieties from all around the world. Our on-staff horticulturists are ready and available to share their expertise to help you with the success of these seeds, so you can grow a beautiful and productive garden!

Does Park sell GMO's or treated seeds?

It is important for our customers to know that Park Seed does not sell GMO or treated seed. We do buy a small amount of traditional hybrid seed from Seminis, a division of Monsanto Co., but that is all we purchase from them.

What are the differences between organic, heirloom, and hybrid seed?

Basically, organic seeds are seeds that are produced without the use and exposure to artificial/chemical fertilizers, insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, and other chemicals. They have to be grown, harvested, stored, and handled under very strict organic rules and procedures. All of our organic seeds are USDA 100% certified organic through Clemson University and the certificate has to be renewed yearly.

Heirloom Seeds are open-pollinated -- they are not hybrids. You can gather and save heirloom seed from year to year and they will grow true to type every year, so they can be passed down through generations. To be considered an heirloom, a variety would have to be at least from the 1940's and 3 generations old (many varieties are much older -- some 100 years or more!).

Hybrid seed are the product of cross-pollination between 2 different parent plants, resulting in a new plant/seed that is different from the parents. Unlike Heirloom seed, hybrid seed need to be re-purchased new every year (and not saved). They usually will not grow true to type if you save them, but will revert to one of the parents they were crossed with and most likely look/taste different in some way.

What are pelleted seeds? Why do you use them? How do I handle/sow them?

Extremely small seed such as Petunias and Pentas are shipped as pelleted seed to make them easier to handle and sow. Pelleted seed are coated, usually with clay, to make them larger in size. After sowing, the coating will dissolve when wet and the seed will germinate. Pelleted seeds are shipped in vials placed inside seed packets, which protects them from being crushed. When sowing, be certain to use thoroughly moistened soil, to be sure that the clay coating absorbs enough moisture to dissolve. For sowing pelleted Petunia seeds, place the seeds directly on the soil surface and do not cover with soil, as light aids in the germination.

What is ideal temperature to germinate most seeds?

The ideal temperature to germinate most seeds is approximately 70 degrees F; give or take 1-2 degrees either way. This would be a good germination temperature for most flower and vegetable seeds and would be the most practical and feasible temperatures achieved for gardeners starting seeds in the home. You will notice for some seeds that it is recommended to use alternating day (warmer), night (cooler), temperatures, which is fine if one can provide such conditions. But most people are unable to provide those temperatures in a home setting, so just use the overall 70 degree F recommendation and the seeds should germinate well.

How long should grow lights be kept on per day and how close to the plants should the light be kept?

For germination and seedling/plant growth, you want to simulate the natural day-night cycles, and as a general rule, grow lights should be on 8-12 hours per day and off at night. You can vary this timing, as some seeds such as tomato, pepper, petunia, impatiens, and others, benefit from 14-17 hours of light per day (and the remainder of the 24 hour period in darkness). The most common grow lights used are fluorescent; using cool white, warm white, and wide-spectrum fluorescent tubes. These lights work well for germination and for growing plants up to a transplantable size. Fluorescent lights should be kept close though, 3-6 inches above the soil or the growing plants, adjusting the height as the plants grow.

How long will seeds keep in storage?

Park Seed stores seed in a special temperature- and humidity-controlled storage facility, which keeps seeds in excellent condition. Our seeds should be good for at least 1-2 years on average. Seed viability and storage time will vary depending on the seed item; some will keep a shorter time and some will keep longer. Seeds should be stored in a cool, dark, dry place. A basement will do (if not too humid), or a cool, dark room or closet. We recommend the best way to extend seed storage life is to store them in something air tight, such as a plastic zipper storage bag or canning jar, and place it in the refrigerator. This will extend the life of seeds for many years.

What is the best way to store seeds over a longer time period?

We recommend the best way to extend seed storage life is to store seeds in something air tight, such as a plastic zipper storage bag or canning jar, and place it in the refrigerator. This will extend the life of seeds for many years.

What depth should I sow various seeds?

When sowing seed outdoors, we recommend a maximum planting depth of 4X the width of the seed. When sowing seed indoors, the planting depth can be less, depending on the seed being sown, so it is always best to check specific directions. Here are some general guidelines concerning planting depth in relation to seed size: Tiny, dust-like seeds need to be sown on the surface of the growing medium or soil, uncovered, as they need light to germinate. The planting depth for small seed can be anywhere from barely covering, to 1/8-inch deep, to possibly 1/4-inch deep, depending on the recommendation. Medium seed should be planted at 1/4- to 1/2-inch deep, depending on the recommendation. Larger seeds can be planted 1-inch or deeper, depending on the recommendation.